10 Questions with ... Michael 'Buhrm Gotti' Buhrman

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Time for another "Throwback" 10 Questions from 10 years ago.

Started off briefly as an intern for KS1075 when I was 15. I got hired into the building through our sports station, KKFN as a board op where I worked until 2005. I got my first air shift at KQKS when I was 16 in 2001 and after a few years of weekends and swing got hired to for late nights in 2005, and then promoted to Assistant Music Director in February 2008, and Promotions Assistant in March of 2009

1. Why radio?

I started out just as a listener with KS1075 and got to know a lot of the jocks just by bugging them on the request line. When the night guy at the time Kobe started, I was his first Phat 5 @ 9 winner and over the following years he'd have me help him out with phone bits and stuff and after a few years he just asked if I wanted to be his intern and though I had never even imagined having a chance to work at a radio station I definitely took the opportunity.

2. What do you remember about your first impressions of being in a radio station?

The first time I walked into the building, I was walking up the stairs with Kobe as Cat Collins was walking down and Cat said, "Who's your uninvited guest?" So my first impression was fear! Honestly, just the fast paced nature of it, the ability for the jocks to come with quick witted responses, the best being Lucas who did afternoons here and is now at KWIN/Stockton. It just blew my mind the amount of imagination these guys had.

3. What's the first Programming Asst./AMD-related thing you do when you come into the office?

Check in with Kage who will give me any immediate work that needs to be done, and then check out all the music sites and see if there's a smash out there that hasn't been caught on to yet.

4. It's the norm for everyone at a station to wear a few hats. You're the Programming Asst and AMD...what other hats, official or unofficial, do you wear?

I really try to help out in any avenue I can. Over the past month, I've been putting a lot of work in on our Web site with our Web master, Stumpy, who has to run five station Web sites at once and does an amazing job. Unofficially I've been an Assistant Web Master! Also help out our Promotions Director, Aldo, whenever I can and help on the production end as well.

5. What about your market, Denver, would surprise most that don't live there or haven't lived there?

Just everything it has going on! Denver has a huge misconception of just being a cow town, but there's a reason people come here from California and New York and never leave. Denver has a great downtown scene and nightlife. I was disappointed when Real World Denver was going on, they spent so much time in the mountains and I don't think they really showed that Denver is a city with a lot going on. Denver has every sports team imaginable from professional and arena football, baseball, hockey, soccer and lacrosse and just has something for everyone

6. A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?

I'd probably take some time to take classes to learn more Web based tools such as Flash, Dreamweaver, Adobe, and video editing software. I really think there are avenues to make the Web a tool to not only entertain, but make the on air staff even bigger stars, and give the audience a reason to go right back to listening to the radio more, and Id love to learn the tools to implement that.

7. Your boss, KQKS PD/MD John E. Kage is new to the PD portion of his gig. How and where do you think you help him the most as his Programming Asst and AMD?

John E Kage is THE hardest working man in this business. I'm not just saying it because he's my boss. He doesn't know what a 9 to 5 is, and he'll be here late at night when I'm coming on the air. So honestly, I just try to help anywhere I can that helps his day become shorter from keeping the logs linked up, to looking at every single music site to find the best jams out there, and trying to stay networked with other trusted ears in the industry and try to keep a finger on everything going on in the music world. And really I try to stay one step ahead and get things done even before he has to ask.

8. Who do you consider your mentor(s)?

Really one of the smartest men in radio, Cat Collins. He hired me when I was just 16 and gave me an opportunity I could never have imagined. He had faith in me to allow me into the music department and share his music genius with me and I'm forever grateful for that. On the same note, John E. Kage. I see a lot of situations in radio where people are weary of teaching people what they know, and in today's economy I'm not surprised, but Kage for the past few years has shared his music philosophy, showed me how to schedule music, music flow, introduced me to the record label reps, and also had faith in me to hire me to the Programming Assistant position. I owe my career to those two guys.

9. What would you say is the highlight of your work day at KQKS?

The great people I work with. There's not a day that goes by without smiling or just laughing out loud. From our Morning Show's Larry Ulibarri who is THE funniest man I've met and I would put his creativity against anyone in the business, Kendall B a radio vet whose production genius I would love to learn one day, and Kathie J who brightens up the room wherever she goes. Tony V is one of the first on air jocks I talked to as a listener and bugged on the request line all the time, and to now call him my best friend is really a trip. DJ Chonz is another brother of mine who really should have regular club nights in Vegas or New York, one of the best mixers out there. Our night guy Slim has the ability to turn almost anything entertaining and is the first guy I call to go downtown with! And last, but definitely not least, our girl Dreena who's heading back to the Bay, always has an upbeat attitude and we're going to miss her!

10. What is your favorite song that you're not playing at KQKS?

Jeremy Green feat. Pitbull - Rain. There's something about that record really hits my ears right and I see potential for it. Also honorable mentions to Gorilla Zoe - Echo and Keri Hilson ft Kanye West & Neyo - Knock You Down.

If you were to leave Radio and music today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

Radio is my life, and I'd immediately try to jump into something music related if I had to get out, but outside of radio and music I would probably try to find a way to get into politics. I have my Associates in Political Science and am just fiend for political knowledge. Buhrman for President 2024!

If you were getting married next weekend and you could have any artist, or group, perform a special song for the first dance at your wedding reception, who would you chose?

I've tried really hard to keep the marriage word out of my vocabulary and my ability to slow dance is pretty minimal, so I'd probably have to throw something crunk by Lil Jon on or 2 Live Crew "Hoochie Mama"